1/48 Harrier conversion

[SlipStream77]

I want to build a Harrier GR1 but I can only find a GR7/9 in 1/48 scale, this one...

http://www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/revell-harri...

There is also an AV-8B kit...

http://www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/hasegawa-av8...

Which would be the easiest to convert?

The cockpit will have to be changed to convert a GR7/9 to a GR1 so it looks like the AV-8B might be closer if I just modify the nose?

Any suggestions?

ETA. I think the cockpit is different on the AV-8B as well.

Edited by SlipStream77 on Tuesday 24th November 23:33

[Eric Mc]

I think trying to back-convert one of the 2nd/3rd genetration Harriers to a 1st generation GR1 would be just too difficult. There are too many significant differences between the two designs.
However, there were at least two 1st generation Harriers available in 1/48 scale - although neither appear to be in current production.
A quick search on the internet shows that both Airfix and Monogram (which is now part of Revell USA) have done one. The Airfix kit is the slightly later GR3 and the Monogram kit was the US Marines AV-8A (the US equivalent of the GR1).

The AV-8A could be done almost straight from the box. The GR3 would require some surgery to the nose and tailfin. Otherwise, that is it.

People like Xtradecal should be able to provide you with markings for an RAF GR1.

Edited by Eric Mc on Wednesday 25th November 07:25

[dr_gn]

SlipStream77 said:

I want to build a Harrier GR1 but I can only find a GR7/9 in 1/48 scale, this one...

http://www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/revell-harri...

There is also an AV-8B kit...

http://www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/hasegawa-av8...

Which would be the easiest to convert?

The cockpit will have to be changed to convert a GR7/9 to a GR1 so it looks like the AV-8B might be closer if I just modify the nose?

Any suggestions?

ETA. I think the cockpit is different on the AV-8B as well.

Edited by SlipStream77 on Tuesday 24th November 23:33

Probably no use at all since it's 1:32 scale, but I built one of these decades ago (and it built into a quite impressive model).

[SlipStream77]

Thanks for the advice, I was a bit surprised that there weren't any on ebay hence why I was considering the conversion.

Maybe I will look at the GR3 as well and see if I can find one sometime.

[Eric Mc]

GR3s were upgraded GR1s anyway - so they ere basically the same airframe. The major external changes were the addition of the laser nose and the tail warning radar antenna on the tailfin.

Edited by Eric Mc on Wednesday 25th November 18:22

[SlipStream77]

Thanks Eric